The Year of the Rat
Rat Years and their Elements
Rat is linked to the ancient Chinese element of water. Water endows rat with qualities of quiet restraint, persistence, diplomacy, and the ability to predict future trends, expecially in business and the material world. Water rats can influence others but need to turn their inner restlessness into active leadership.
Water - Water
1912, 1972
Rats born in water years are in their natural element. They are, therefore, doubly endowed with the ability to persuade diplomatically and have very acute awareness of future trends. On the negative side, the double water rat may become swamped with too much information and keep too much hidden in their water depths. Atypically, water rats are very sensitive and are too concerned about the opinions of others. This rat should try to be more forthcoming and take the lead occasionally.
Water - Metal
1900 - 1960
This rat is endowed with integrity, ambition, and the ability to make a sustained effort to carry a project through to its conclusion. On the negative side, metal can be too inflexible, leading to rigid attitudes which threaten to stifle creative thought. This rat should try to be more malleable and open to compromise, although water does help to soften this tendency of metal.
Water - Wood
1924, 1984
Wood is a creative element, so rats born in these years may be artistic in some way. They are also endowed with self-confidence, a strong moral sense, and an abiltiy to grow, expanding their activities widely. On the negative side, wood can create too many options, leading to a complexity that is unmanageable. Combined with indecisive water, this can mean trouble. These rats should try to control their inclination to bite off more than they can chew and, instead, concentrate their resources.
Water - Fire
1936, 1996
This rat is endowed with decisiveness, wisdom, and a capacity for innovation that leads to success. They can tolerate long periods of rapid change and adjustment. On the negative side, they sometimes become too enthusiastic and passionate, which can lead to destruction of the very thing they were about to achieve. This rat should try to control a sharp tongue and keep energies flowing in a postive direction.
Water - Earth
1948, 2008
Earth combined with water is a balancing combination for the rat. Earth rats are endowed with practicality, prudence, self-discipline, and the ability to work hard. On the negative side, they may more too slowly, losing the initiative and delaying making crucial decisions. This rat should use self-discipline to keep a rigorously paced schedule, allowing the imagination more freedom.
Characteristics | Preferences | Associations | Elementals